Antique Georgian Sterling Silver Pierced Basket by Richard Morton Sheffield 1778

A very fine antique English 18th century sterling silver swing handle cake basket, by Richard Morton, Sheffield, 1778.
Richard Morton is regarded as one of the most important silversmiths working is Sheffield, even before the creation of the assay office in 1773. 
This very attractive and elegant cake basket in the Classical style, having a swing handle with pierced work decoration, the oval basket with remarkable pierced work decoration including bellflower swags. The basket is raised on a flared oval foot, also with pierced work, both the basket and foot with beaded borders.
To the center of the basket is a fine hand engraved armorial within a decorative cartouche.
The basket is hallmarked both on the handle and the body of the basket, with Morton's maker's marks, the crown for Sheffield, lion passant for sterling silver and the date letter for 1778. Condition is excellent, a highly collectible piece of important investment quality Georgian silver.
Silver weight 668 grams

Richard Morton was one of the few Sheffield manufacturers who produced silverware prior to the establishment of the Sheffield Assay Office. He is recorded as a working silversmith in 1768 in partnership with William Clayton. His mark “RM” was entered on 16th September 1773, possibly in partnership with John Winter. A fortnight later the two marks “R.M” and “RM & Co” were entered by Richard Morton, Thomas Warris, John Winter, Samuel Roberts, John Elam, Thomas Settle, John Eyre and Nathaniel Smith. It is on record that this firm was not to produce silver candlesticks, that branch of the trade being reserved for John Winter. There may well have been covenants as to non-production of certain other items as all of the partners except Morton and Warris also comprised the partnership of Samuel Roberts & Co. who registered their mark on the same day.

Imperial

4 inches high × 13 inches wide × 11 inches deep

Metric

high × wide x deep

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